Will Taiwan’s first homegrown low-cost airline be launched by the end of the year? China Airlines: still undecided

Travel Center / Taipei Report

Will a homegrown low-cost airline emerge in Taiwan? Over the past two years, budget airlines such as Peach Aviation, Scoot, and Spring Airlines have been expanding their markets, extending their routes to Taiwan. Meanwhile, there are reports that China Airlines may collaborate with Singapore-based Tigerair to establish a domestic low-cost airline. However, regarding the timeline for the launch of this low-cost airline, China Airlines internally stated that the plan is not yet finalized and is still under evaluation.


▲ Will China Airlines launch a low-cost airline? (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

Budget airlines are actively competing for the Taiwanese market, and rumors about which airline will establish Taiwan’s first homegrown low-cost carrier continue to circulate. There are reports that China Airlines plans to collaborate with Singapore-based low-cost airline Tigerair to launch Taiwan’s first domestic low-cost airline. According to media reports, China Airlines Chairman Sun Hongxiang recently revealed that a decision on the low-cost airline is expected by the end of the year. Sun Hongxiang noted that low-cost carriers are a global market trend, with other international players already entering the Taiwanese market, but Taiwan currently lacks a homegrown low-cost brand, and a proposal is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

There are external speculations that China Airlines might transform Mandarin Airlines—primarily focused on domestic flights—into a low-cost carrier, or partner with Singapore-based Tigerair to launch a new brand. In response to these speculations, China Airlines stated that the matter is still under evaluation and that no final decision has been made.